Techsploder

Latest Episodes:

Dick DeBartolo Jun 14, 2024

Show notes

Join Jason Howell as he explores the world of "low-tech" through the eyes of MAD Magazine's Dick DeBartolo, a media legend and true gadget aficionado with a knack for finding humor in the strangest places.

Please support our work on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/JasonHowell

CHAPTERS:

- How Dick DeBartolo keeps his humor and fascination with technology, even for mundane gadgets.

- Dick's early interest in technology and how it led to his work at Mad Magazine and game shows.

- The story of how Dick started appearing on TV shows like Metro Media's Saturday Morning Live.

- How Dick transitioned from TV to podcasting with Leo Laporte's TWiT network.

- Dick's favorite gadgets, including the Slingbox and the world's first digital camera.

- The nostalgia and ingenuity behind Dick's early 8mm films with sound effects.

- A memorable story about a private train ride with Mad Magazine's publisher.

- How technology has simplified video production and enabled remote appearances.

Check out The Giz Wiz: https://gizwiz.tv/

Visit Dick's website: http://www.gizwiz.biz

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Christina Warren Jun 07, 2024

Show notes

Christina Warren joins Jason Howell to talk about how nostalgia for the early Internet and failed technology companies has permeated her life in tech. From developer advocacy at Microsoft and Github to working in the tech journalism trenches at Mashable, Christina has stayed passionate about the possibilities of tech and its limitations.

Please support our work on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/JasonHowell

Christina's experience of accidentally not hitting the "go live" button at the start of the interview, and the importance of redundancy in recording
Her early memories and passion for technology, sparked by video games, gadgets, and the internet in the 90s
Building her first website on GeoCities as a 12-year-old unpaid "community leader"
Her collectibles obsession, including shoes and merchandise from failed/infamous tech companies like Theranos, FTX, Pets.com etc.
Reminiscing about the spectacular dot-com boom and bust, and companies like Webvan, Pets.com that didn't survive
Discussing the decline of TiVo and how the DVR experience has arguably gotten worse over time
Her current role as a developer advocate at GitHub, and how to follow her work

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Megan Morrone May 31, 2024

Show notes

From writing for late-90s dot com boom websites to catching her break on TechTV, to podcasting at TWiT and back to writing, Megan Morrone shares her insights on the promise and peril of AI, navigating social media, and the challenges of parenting in the digital age.

Support the Techsploder Podcast on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/JasonHowell

Megan Morrone vs Megan Moroney.
Megan's time in the 90s at LookSmart and CitySearch.
Why TechTV was different.
Technology influences as a child.
Parenting in the digital age: Now vs. Then.
Megan's experience with social media platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn.
Megan's thoughts on the promise and peril of AI and its impact on various aspects of life.
The tech that lets Megan down.
Megan's approach to tech cleanse and stepping away from technology.

Subscribe to the AI+ Newsletter: https://www.axios.com/signup/ai-plus

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Ron Richards May 24, 2024

Show notes

From his childhood fascination with the Apple II Plus to publishing a zine and co-founding iFanboy, Ron Richards opens up about his lifelong love for technology and how it has shaped his career, culminating in the development of the Scorbit pinball app.

Please support our work on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/JasonHowell

Ron's early memories of technology and the internet
Discovering bulletin board systems (BBS) and computer game piracy
The birth of the World Wide Web and Netscape's IPO
Desktop publishing and creating a zine in college
Discovering the pinball community and developing Scorbit
Balancing passion projects with work
The technology behind Disney's immersive experiences

Check out Scorbit: https://scorbit.io/

Listen to iFanboy: https://ifanboy.com/

Listen to Android Faithful: http://androidfaithful.com

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Alex Kantrowitz May 17, 2024

Show notes

Alex Kantrowitz, author of "Always Day One," talks about his transition from political journalism to covering the tech industry, and how he applies lessons from tech giants' ability to reinvent themselves to his own business with Big Technology.

Please support our work on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/JasonHowell

- Alex's journey from BuzzFeed to starting his own independent media company, Big Technology.

- The experience of working at BuzzFeed and the challenges of being a serious news outlet within a site known for listicles and memes.

- Writing the book "Always Day One" and the process of researching and interviewing tech giants like Amazon, Facebook, Google, Apple, and Microsoft.

- Interviewing Mark Zuckerberg and the approach to asking insightful questions.

- Applying lessons from tech giants' ability to reinvent themselves to his own business.

- Alex's early career in politics and government work, and how it prepared him for covering tech.

- Memorable moments from his youth that sparked his interest in journalism and technology.

- The importance of taking chances and not waiting for the perfect opportunity.

Check out Big Technology: http://www.bigtechnology.com

Read "Always Day One": https://alexkantrowitz.com/

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Eddy Barker May 10, 2024

Show notes

Jason Howell chats with Eddy Barker, an electrical engineer who grew up fascinated by science fiction television. That passion led him working with AT&T as he helped create DSL technology in the 1990's, paving the way for high-speed Internet in the homes of millions.

Support this show via Patreon: patreon.com/JasonHowell

How Eddy started his time at AT&T and if developing DSL was his first project
Eddy's early interest in communications technology like telephones, radio, and TV
The challenges AT&T faced with dial-up internet and long connection durations
How the idea of using existing telephone lines for DSL data came about
Validating the DSL concept and any resistance faced during development
The rise of companies like eBay, Amazon, and Napster enabled by DSL
Common challenges between DSL and modern fiber deployments
Eddy's vision for how technologies like the metaverse, AI, and high bandwidths will converge in the next decade
A piece of technology from Eddy's youth that shaped his love for the field

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Tom Merritt May 03, 2024

Show notes

Long-time tech podcasters Jason Howell and Tom Merritt take a trip down memory lane, sharing their career origins and the pivotal moments that shaped their paths in the world of tech.

Support this show via Patreon: patreon.com/JasonHowell

Jason expressing appreciation for Tom as a collaborator and friend in the tech industry
"Sliding door" moments in the professional lives of Tom and Jason.
Tom's origin story of how he got into tech journalism at ZDTV/TechTV
The creation of the Buzz Out Loud podcast at CNET in 2005
The Buzztownarchive.com project preserving the Buzz Out Loud episodes
The importance of the community built around their shows
Seeing fans' lives progress over many years through their interactions
Some of Tom's fondest early Internet memories.
Tom's fanzine and early Internet websites including Subbrilliant.com
Patron question: How Tom feels about his content being a part of generative AI databases.

Follow Tom's work:

Daily Tech News Show: dailytechnewsshow.com

Substack: techtom.substack.com

Website: tommerritt.com

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Welcome to the Techsploder Podcast! Apr 21, 2024

Show notes

Join veteran tech podcaster Jason Howell as he sits down with intriguing tech minds for casual conversations that explore the human experience in a world engulfed by technology. From tech journalists and creators to entrepreneurs, Jason invites guests to share their journey through tech and reflect on the triumphs and struggles of being immersed in the always-evolving tech landscape. New episodes every Friday!

Episode 1 drops on Friday, May 3, 2024!

Support Techsploder on Patreon at patreon.com/JasonHowell.

Subscribe to the Techsploder YouTube channel at youtube.com/@Techsploder

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